• Thursday, January 5 at Meeker Slough from 10:30am-12:30pm  
• Saturday, January 7 at Vincent Park  from 1:00pm-3:00pm  

Sunday, January 1, 8 – 10:30 a.m.

Ginny Marshall, ginnybirder@sbcglobal.net; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com; Alan Ridley, allanrid@pacbell.net; Helen McKenna, 415.566.3241 (Leaders vary by month.)

Meet at the front gate of the garden in Golden Gate Park, 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way. The garden has several micro-habitats that attract an array of resident, migrant, and vagrant birds. This monthly trip is oriented toward helping beginning birders develop their skills in spotting and identifying birds. The garden charges $7/person if you are not an SF resident or garden member. Bring identification for residency and membership status.

Tilden Regional Park

Berkeley

Friday, January 6, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Alan Kaplan, 510.526.7609 (messages), LNKPLN@earthlink.net

Meet at the Tilden Nature Area parking lot, at the north end of Central Park Dr. This walk will be on dirt roads, fire trails, and narrow paths, mostly level or with some easy switchbacks. The theme for these two trips is survival in winter (feeding, behavior, physiology). Restrooms available at start and middle of walk. GGAS thanks Phila Rogers for leading this trip for many years and welcomes Alan as the new leader.

Palo Alto Baylands and Mountain View Shoreline

Santa Clara County

Saturday, January 7, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Joan and Dan Murphy, murphsf@yahoo.com, 415.564.0074

The wetlands, marshes, and open waters in Palo Alto and Mountain View are among the richest bird habitats on San Francisco Bay. Levees and boardwalks overlooking the marshes, mudflats, and open water make these excellent sites to view 60 to 80 species that winter in the South Bay, including ducks, shorebirds, waders, gulls, and raptors. Meet in the parking lot on the right side of the road at the gate just before the duck pond near the Baylands Preserve. Wear clothes appropriate for cold, wet weather. If it has been raining, wear boots or waders since the levees can be muddy. Bring lunch and liquids. Rain will not cancel. Chemical restrooms available.

From Hwy. 101 in Palo Alto (just south of Dumbarton Bridge), exit at Embarcadero Rd. East. Stay to right and be careful not to end up on the Oregon Expressway. Drive east over freeway to end of street. Turn left and continue to gate just before duck pond.

Bike Trip: Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline

Oakland, Alameda County

Sunday, January 8

Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Meet at Fruitvale BART at 9 a.m. or Tidewater Staging Area at 9:20. We’ll ride the SF Bay Trail from East Creek Point to Damon Marsh and Arrowhead Marsh. Return is via Doolittle Dr. and Fernside Blvd. A high tide of 7.4 ft. is at 10:51 a.m. Winter high tides are a good time to see rails and, if there has been enough rain, lots of ducks and shorebirds in the seasonal wetlands. Bring lunch and liquids, and dress for variable weather. Bicycle helmet required. Rain cancels. Contact Kathy if you would like her cell number.

Car: Exit I-880 at High St. in Oakland and go southwest to High St. Bridge to Alameda and cross bridge. Turn left onto Fernside Blvd. and park on street. Bike back over bridge, turn right onto Tidewater Ave., and go .25 mi. to Tidewater Staging Area on right, just before Lesser St. on left.

Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline

Oakland, Alameda County

Thursday, January 12, 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Gary and Chris Bard, chrisbard@earthlink.net, 510.301.2987

The MLK shoreline offers excellent views of shorebirds, waders, and dabblers. The park’s Arrowhead Marsh is the home of numerous Clapper Rails. In winter, large rafts of scaup and goldeneye float offshore. Occasionally, raptors soar overhead. The walking is on flat ground. Please bring a scope if you have one. Dress in layers. Rain cancels. Restroom available near parking lot.

From I-880 south in Oakland, exit at Hegenberger Rd. Turn right onto Hegenberger, continue .7 mile across a small bridge over a channel, and turn right on Pardee Dr. Continue to Swan Way and turn left, then turn right into the park. Meet at parking lot at end of road.

Wintering Raptors and Waterfowl of Solano and Yolo Counties

NOTE- CHANGE OF DATE to Sunday, January 15

Terry Colborn, 916.705.8991, www.TLCBirding.com

The open agricultural lands of Solano and Yolo provide excellent foraging habitat for numerous wintering raptors, while the wetlands of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area are the winter home for scores of waterfowl including ducks, geese, and swans, as well as many shorebirds. This all-day trip will visit several habitats in search of raptors such as Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, Merlin, and Prairie Falcon. We’ll also seek out Burrowing, Barn, and Great-horned Owls and Long-billed Curlew, and the elusive and threatened Mountain Plover. We expect to see a representative sampling of waterfowl and a variety of shorebirds at Yolo Bypass.

Space on the trip is limited but still available. To sign up, contact the leader. Confirmed participants meet at 8 a.m. in Dixon in the southwest corner of the Wal-Mart parking lot on East Dorset Dr. at the Hwy. 113 exit off I-80. Bring lunch and liquids; dress in layers. Some short walks. Limited restrooms. Heavy rain cancels.

Heron’s Head Park

San Francisco

Saturday, January 14

San Francisco Nature Education, www.sfnature.org, 415.387.9160

Meet at 10 a.m. at Heron’s Head for tours that leave every 30 minutes, with the last tour at 11:30 a.m. The tours will be led by high school interns equipped with spotting scopes. Each tour lasts about 1 hour. Experience the thrill of observing and learning about the waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds that winter in the park. Heron’s Head is at Jennings St. and Cargo Way, two blocks south of Pier 96. Free parking is available near entrance.
Sponsored by SF Nature Education, Port of San Francisco, Literacy for Environmental Justice, and GGAS.

Putah Creek South Fork Preserve
Yolo County

Sunday, January 15, 8 – 10 a.m.
Aaron Haiman, anhaiman@ucdavis.edu
This wonderful riparian corridor that runs from Lake Berryessa to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area offers opportunities to bird along the creek and out into the nearby open grasslands. Possible highlights include unusual ducks on the creek and a variety of raptors and sparrows in the grasslands. Participants will be walking on uneven trails, which can be muddy, and through often coarse or prickly grassland vegetation; sturdy hiking boots and long pants are strongly suggested. Weather can be unpredictable, so wear warm clothing. Rain cancels.

Trip is limited to 10. E-mail the leader to reserve space. Confirmed participants should meet at the preserve, on Mace Blvd. in east Davis, south of I-80. The entrance to the parking lot is on the left just after the bridge over Putah Creek. Free parking; no bathrooms.

Corona Heights

San Francisco

Friday, January 20, 8 – 10 a.m.

Charles Hibbard; Brian Fitch; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com (Leaders vary by  month.)

Meet in front of the Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, at the end of Museum Way off Roosevelt. We will enjoy views of the city and bay as we circle Corona Heights, checking the east canyon woodland and north forest for residents and migrants, as well as monitoring the hilltop scrub and south cliff.

 Pescadero State Beach and Marsh

Saturday, January 21, 9 a.m. – noon

Martha Wessitsh, 415.681.8059, martha@wessitsh.com

We will scope seabirds and shorebirds from the beach, then proceed into the marsh to look for land birds and ducks on the ponds. The marsh has new trails that should make birding especially interesting. Meet at the parking lot west of Pescadero Rd. Weather may be cold and windy, or warm and sunny, so dress accordingly. There will be about 1 mile of walking on generally flat ground. Bathrooms available. Heavy rain cancels.

Birds of the Bay

San Francisco

Saturday, January 21, 10 a.m.

Carol Kiser, carol_kiser@nps.gov, 415.447.5000

This walk for children and beginners starts with a brief orientation in the use of binoculars and field guides. Then we will spend an hour or so looking for resident and migrating birds. Meet at entrance to Hyde Street Pier at Hyde and Jefferson on the western border of Fisherman’s Wharf. Bring books and binoculars if you have them. A hat and layers of clothing are recommended. Nearby parking is at the foot of Van Ness Ave. (free for 4 hours), Ghirardelli Square, and the Anchorage.  

John McLaren Park

San Francisco

Sunday January 22, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Alan Hopkins, 415.794.0281 (after 3 p.m.), alanhopkins@att.net

Located near San Francisco’s southern border, John McLaren Park is only slightly smaller than Golden Gate Park but is rarely visited by birders. We will walk a 3-mile loop along the park’s rolling hills, visiting a range of habitats. Meet at the intersection of Cambridge St. and John F. Shelley Dr.

From Silver Ave., turn south onto Cambridge St. Follow Cambridge St. south for 6 blocks to the entrance to McLaren park at John F. Shelley Dr. No fee; sporadic bathrooms.

Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park

Oakland, Alameda County

Wednesday, January 25, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Hilary Powers, 510.834.1066, hilary@powersedit.com; Ruth Tobey, 510.528.2093, ruthtobey@gmail.com

Meet at the large spherical cage near the Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue.

We will bird around there, then go up the garden path toward Children’s Fairyland

or walk down the lake toward Embarcadero, after which we will cover what we missed. These are peak birding months at the lake. Just about everyone who’s going to spend the winter at the lake should be here, including both scaups and several other diving ducks, and five species of grebes.

Take the 12, N, or NL bus to Grand and Perkins, and walk into the park on Perkins. Best parking is at the boathouse lot near the spherical cage. Entry, via Bellevue near Children’s Fairyland, is $2 if the kiosk is occupied when you arrive (which it probably will be). Buy a 2-hour ticket and try to park in the boathouse lot, where no one checks how long cars sit.

Redwood Regional Park
Oakland

Sunday, January 29, 8 – 11 a.m.

Rusty Scalf, rscalf@sonic.net

This park offers century-old second-growth redwoods and riparian woodland habitats. It is one of the most beautiful places in the East Bay and perhaps our best bet for Varied Thrush, Pacific Wren, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. We’ll walk for about 3 hours on trails that are level and easy, but can be muddy after a rain. Local historian Richard Schwartz (www.richardschwartz.info) will join us and give a brief talk on the surprising history of the East Bay redwoods. Meet at Redwood Gate on Redwood Rd. Drive to the end of the road to the parking lot.

Tilden Regional Park

Berkeley

Friday, February 3, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Alan Kaplan, 510.526.7609 (messages), LNKPLN@earthlink.net

Meet at the Tilden Nature Area parking lot, at the north end of Central Park Dr. This walk will be on dirt roads, fire trails, and narrow paths, mostly level or with some easy switchbacks. The theme for these two trips is survival in winter (feeding, behavior, physiology). Restrooms available at start and middle of walk. GGAS thanks Phila Rogers for leading this trip for many years and welcomes Alan as the new leader. 

Putah Creek South Fork Preserve
Yolo County

Saturday, February 4, 8 – 10 a.m.
Aaron Haiman, anhaiman@ucdavis.edu
This wonderful riparian corridor that runs from Lake Berryessa to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area offers opportunities to bird along the creek and out into the nearby open grasslands. Possible highlights include unusual ducks on the creek and a variety of raptors and sparrows in the grasslands. Participants will be walking on uneven trails, which can be muddy, and through often coarse or prickly grassland vegetation; sturdy hiking boots and long pants are strongly suggested. Weather can be unpredictable, so wear warm clothing. Rain cancels.

Trip is limited to 10. E-mail the leader to reserve space. Confirmed participants should meet at the preserve, on Mace Blvd. in east Davis, south of I-80. The entrance to the parking lot is on the left just after the bridge over Putah Creek. Free parking; no bathrooms.

Bike Trip: East Shore State Park

Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

Saturday, February 4

Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Meet at 8:35 a.m. at El Cerrito Del Norte BART Station or 9 a.m. at the end of S. 51st Street in Richmond, where there is a spur to the SF Bay Trail. We will bird along the Bay Trail, looking for shorebirds and ducks, from Richmond to Berkeley, ending at University Ave. and I-80 in Berkeley. Bring bicycle lock and liquids. Bring lunch or purchase at Seabreeze Market on University Ave. Bicycle helmet required. Rain cancels. Reservations not necessary, but an e-mail or phone call would be appreciated.

Car: Take the Bayview exit from I-580 north and turn left to cross west over the freeway. Go left on Seaport and immediately left on S. 51st Street, then go to end and park on street. Entrance to short spur to the Bay Trail starts here. If you are concerned about security, park at Point Isabel and ride north on the trail about .75 mile to meet the group. Transit: Meet at Del Norte BART station at 8:35 a.m. and ride to the trail. From BART, take Ohlone Greenway Trail south to Potrero Ave., turn right toward the bay, cross San Pablo Ave., and turn left onto S. 55th St. immediately after crossing under I-80. Then turn right onto Gately, left onto Ells, and right onto Bayview. Cross Carlson, then go over I-580, left onto Seaport, and left onto S. 51st St. and proceed to the trail. It is also possible to go from El Cerrito Plaza Station to the trailhead via Carlson.

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Sunday, February 5, 8 – 10:30 a.m.

Ginny Marshall, ginnybirder@sbcglobal.net; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com; Alan Ridley, allanrid@pacbell.net; Helen McKenna, 415.566.3241 (Leaders vary by month.)

Meet at the front gate of the garden in Golden Gate Park, 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way. The garden has several micro-habitats that attract an array of resident, migrant, and vagrant birds. This monthly trip is oriented toward helping beginning birders develop their skills in spotting and identifying birds. The garden charges $7/person if you are not an SF resident or garden member. Bring identification for residency and membership status.

Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline

Oakland, Alameda County

Thursday, February 9, 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Gary and Chris Bard, chrisbard@earthlink.net, 510.301.2987

The MLK shoreline offers excellent views of shorebirds, waders, and dabblers. The park’s Arrowhead Marsh is the home of numerous Clapper Rails. In winter, large rafts of scaup and goldeneye float offshore. Occasionally, raptors soar overhead. The walking is on flat ground. Please bring a scope if you have one. Dress in layers. Rain cancels. Restroom available near parking lot.

From I-880 south in Oakland, exit at Hegenberger Rd. Turn right onto Hegenberger, continue .7 mile across a small bridge over a channel, and turn right on Pardee Dr. Continue to Swan Way and turn left, then turn right into the park. Meet at parking lot at end of road.

Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area

Alameda County

Friday, February 10, 9 a.m. – noon

Steve and Carol Lombardi, 925.785.0130, hot-rock@sbcglobal.net

This delightful park in Pleasanton has varied habitats and many species in a small

area. We’ll get close looks at waterfowl and marsh birds in the ponds, then seek

out resident and migrant woodland birds in the riparian woods. We should also

see raptors (Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk) and waders. Walking is mainly flat

on paved and unpaved trails. Meet in main parking lot to your left as you enter

the park. Parking fee: $6. Directions: www.ebparks.org/parks/shadow_cliffs. $

Sacramento River Delta with Dolphin Charters
Saturday, February 11, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
 
GGAS leaders Allan Ridley and Helen McKenna
 
BIRDS OF THE SACRAMENTO DELTA This cruise is a winter highlight for birders and provides a specialized look at the richness and history of the California Delta. This species rich area includes a variety of raptors such as Swainson’s hawk, peregrine falcon and great-horned owl, large numbers of shorebirds, sandhill cranes and white-faced ibis, huge rafts and flocks of waterfowl including tundra swans, snow, Canada and greater white-fronted geese. Ducks of many species as well as numerous other birds including gulls, terns, bitterns, passerines and woodpeckers call this area home in the winter.Depart and return: Antioch Marina.
Trip is limited to 32 participants. Cost is $85 for GGAS members, $95 for non-members. Deadline for reserving space and making payment is Friday, January 13, 2012. Contact the GGAS Office at 510.843.2222 or ggas@goldengateaudubon.org. Those confirmed on the trip will receive directions to the marina and other instructions. $

Heron’s Head Park

San Francisco

Saturday, February 11

San Francisco Nature Education, www.sfnature.org, 415.387.9160

Meet at 10 a.m. at Heron’s Head for tours that leave every 30 minutes, with the last tour at 11:30 a.m. The tours will be led by high school interns equipped with spotting scopes. Each tour lasts about 1 hour. Experience the thrill of observing and learning about the waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds that winter in the park. Heron’s Head is at Jennings St. and Cargo Way, two blocks south of Pier 96. Free parking is available near entrance.
Sponsored by SF Nature Education, Port of San Francisco, Literacy for Environmental Justice, and GGAS.

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
Antioch, Contra Costa County

Sunday, February 12, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Denise Wight, blkittiwake@yahoo.com, 925.330.3893, and Kitty O’Neil

We’ll have a chance to see Canyon Wren and Phainopepla, as well as winter sparrows and raptors. Some steep climbing, possibly muddy. Meet in the first parking lot to the left of the fee kiosk at 8:30 a.m. Likely parking fee: $5. Bring lunch if you would like to stay later. Heavy rain cancels. For more information, please call Denise.

From Hwy. 4 in Antioch, take the Somersville Rd. exit. Drive south (toward the hills) on Somersville all the way to the park entrance. $

Corona Heights

San Francisco

Friday, February 17, 8 – 10 a.m.

Charles Hibbard; Brian Fitch; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com (Leaders vary by  month.)

Meet in front of the Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, at the end of Museum Way off Roosevelt. We will enjoy views of the city and bay as we circle Corona Heights, checking the east canyon woodland and north forest for residents and migrants, as well as monitoring the hilltop scrub and south cliff.

Bike Trip: Emeryville to Richmond

Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

Saturday, February 18

Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Emeryville Marina, the turnaround at the end of Powell St. High tide is at approximately 8:45 a.m. We will bird most of the East Shore State Park on the SF Bay Trail and may include Aquatic Park in Berkeley. Return may be on BART. Bring bicycle lock, lunch, and liquids. Food and drink may be purchased at the Sit & Stay Cafe at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline. Bicycle helmet required. Rain cancels. Reservations not necessary, but an e-mail or phone call would be appreciated.

From Powell St. exit on I-80 in Emeryville, drive west to end of Powell. There is parking at Emeryville Marina Park.

Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park

Oakland, Alameda County

Wednesday, February 22, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Hilary Powers, 510.834.1066, hilary@powersedit.com; Ruth Tobey, 510.528.2093, ruthtobey@gmail.com

Meet at the large spherical cage near the Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue.

We will bird around there, then go up the garden path toward Children’s Fairyland

or walk down the lake toward Embarcadero, after which we will cover what we missed. These are peak birding months at the lake. Just about everyone who’s going to spend the winter at the lake should be here, including both scaups and several other diving ducks, and five species of grebes.

Take the 12, N, or NL bus to Grand and Perkins, and walk into the park on Perkins. Best parking is at the boathouse lot near the spherical cage. Entry, via Bellevue near Children’s Fairyland, is $2 if the kiosk is occupied when you arrive (which it probably will be). Buy a 2-hour ticket and try to park in the boathouse lot, where no one checks how long cars sit.

Heron’s Head Park

San Francisco

Saturday, March 10

San Francisco Nature Education, www.sfnature.org, 415.387.9160

Meet at 10 a.m. at Heron’s Head for tours that leave every 30 minutes, with the last tour at 11:30 a.m. The tours will be led by high school interns equipped with spotting scopes. Each tour lasts about 1 hour. Experience the thrill of observing and learning about the waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds that winter in the park. Heron’s Head is at Jennings St. and Cargo Way, two blocks south of Pier 96. Free parking is available near entrance.
Sponsored by SF Nature Education, Port of San Francisco, Literacy for Environmental Justice, and GGAS.

Lower Klamath/Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges    

Siskiyou County

Sunday, March 11, 7:30 a.m.

Eddie Bartley, eddie@naturetrip.com, 415.355.0450; Noreen Weeden

In mid-March, Lower Klamath is one of the premier staging grounds for waterfowl preparing for a last leap north to their spring and summer breeding grounds. Expect to see ducks and geese in the tens of thousands, as well as swans, cranes, and raptors, especially Bald Eagle and perhaps Golden Eagle and Rough-legged and Ferruginous Hawks. Great Horned Owls are expected; Barn and Short-eared Owls are fairly common. Meet at the refuge Visitor Center. We’ll bird most of the day with a break for lunch. You can join us for part or all of trip. Birders planning to go on this trip may want to take one of Eddie’s raptor classes (go to www.goldengateaudubon.org/education/classes).

From I-5 at Weed, follow Hwy. 97 northeast for 45 miles toward Oregon border. Take Stateline Rd. (Hwy. 161) east to Tulelake. Turn south on Hill Rd. and go 4 miles. Drive from SF is about 7 hours. Wicked weather cancels.

Honey Lake and Greater Sage-Grouse

Lassen County

Saturday – Sunday, March 24 – 25

Dave Quady, 510.704.9353, davequady@att.net.

Lassen in late March offers the chance to enjoy Greater Sage-Grouse displaying on a lek, many resident and wintering raptors and waterfowl, perhaps a trickle of spring migrants, and a spectacular setting for seeking northeast California’s resident birds. The trip is limited to the first 20 participants who sign up with the leader; reservations open up at noon on January 23. Detailed directions will be provided to those confirmed on the trip. Lodging is available in Susanville; primitive camping, in Honey Lake State Wildlife Area. Bring warm clothing, lunches for both days, and a scope if you have one. Carpooling encouraged.

Yosemite National Park

Friday – Sunday, June 1 – 3

Dave Quady, davequady@att.net, 510.704.9353; Dave Cornman

Spaces may still be available on this popular annual Yosemite trip. Contact Dave to sign up.

August 24, 2011

Leader(s): Hilary Powers and Ruth Tobey

# of participants: 12

# of species: 29

Strolling across Bellevue and into Lakeside Park near the Nature Center, we paused as usual to describe the “magic tree” phenomenon to the assembled birders on the August 4th-Wednesday Golden Gate Audubon walk. That part of the park – basically, the rolling lawns bordered by Bellevue, Perkins, and Grand, running up to Children’s Fairyland – has lots of trees, and one of them will have a wonderful mixed flock of little birds in it. Find that tree and you’re in birder heaven; otherwise you’re getting a crick in your neck peering into empty branches.

The description is a way of reducing expectations upon coming away from the lake, which even in August has birds wherever you look, so people aren’t too disappointed with the next half-hour or so. But this time, it turned out we were standing right under That Tree, which was alive with Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Oak Titmice. And mixed in, we had a female Downy Woodpecker  and a very bright male Wilson’s Warbler, which we very rarely see in the park. We went on to see most of the usual park birds, including a Black Phoebe lounging near the nest on the corporation yard (which didn’t seem to be occupied), and lots of Anna’s Hummingbirds zooming and chortling around. And the crown of that part of the trip, we got several good looks at a Red-shouldered Hawk – also a rarity here- being chased by a party of crows, and later moseying around in the garden.

On the lake – besides the usual Canada Geese and Mallards – a dozen or so American White Pelicans were visiting with Hank-the-rescue-bird, and several Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets seemed to be sizing up the bushes on one of the islands. We saw TWO Green Herons and lots of Pied-billed Grebes. The cormorant rookery was still in business, but for the first time this season some nests were empty; it looks as though everyone who wanted a family this year has got one. A floating dock of some kind seemed to have slipped its moorings, and 50 or 60 Double-crested Cormorants (mostly this year’s bronze youngsters) were drifting lazily across the lake on it.

All in all a very good day at Lake Merritt, where every day is a good day….

Richmond to Berkeley on the SF Bay Trail Bicycle Trip

August 20, 2011

Leader(s): Kathy Jarrett

# of participants: 7

# of species:  40

A cool but productive day started early at S 51st St in Richmond, looping up to Meeker Slough and back, then on to University Ave in Berkeley. A Whimbrel posed for us at Meeker Slough. Quite a few Black-bellied Plovers were seen at various locations, Semi-palmated Plovers were seen south of S 51st St and also near Buchanan and I-80 in Albany, and a lone Red-necked Phalarope was swimming in the bay next to University Ave. The sun came out and all seven of us sat at the picnic tables at the Sea Breeze Market for lunch.

Sunday, November 20, 9:45 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Trip Leader:  Bob Lewis

The trip is limited to 32 people. Cost is $85 for GGAS members, $95 for nonmembers. Register on-line, or reserve your spot by contacting Stephanie Strait, GGAS Office Manager, 510.843.2222 or ggas@goldengateaudubon.org. Payment must be received by October 15.

Sunday, August 7, 8 – 10:30 a.m.

Ginny Marshall, ginnybirder@sbcglobal.net; Dominik Mosur, polskata@yahoo.com

Meet at front gate of garden in Golden Gate Park, 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way. This delightful section of the park has several micro-habitats that attract an array of resident, migrant, and vagrant birds. This monthly trip is oriented toward helping beginning birders develop their skills in spotting and identifying birds. The garden now charges $7/person if you are not an SF resident or garden member. Bring identification for residency and membership status.

Birds of the Bay

San Francisco

Sunday, August 14, 10 a.m.

Carol Kiser, 415.447.5000

This walk for children and beginners starts with a brief orientation to the use of binoculars and guide books. Then we will spend an hour or so looking for resident and migrating birds. Meet at entrance to Hyde Street Pier at Hyde and Jefferson on the western border of Fisherman’s Wharf. Bring books and binoculars if you have them. A hat, layers of clothing, and sunscreen are recommended. Nearby parking is at the foot of Van Ness Ave. (free for 4 hours), Ghirardelli Square, and the Anchorage.

Corona Heights

San Francisco

Friday, August 19, 8 – 10 a.m.

Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com; Charlie Hibbard

Meet in front of the Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, at end of Museum Way off Roosevelt. We will enjoy views of the city and bay as we circle Corona Heights, checking the east canyon woodland and north forest for residents and migrants, as well as monitoring the hilltop scrub and south cliff.

Bike Trip: Richmond to Berkeley on the SF Bay Trail

Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

Saturday, August 20

Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Meet at 7:55 a.m. at El Cerrito Del Norte BART Station or at 8:25 at end of S. 51st St. in Richmond. There is a spur from the SF Bay Trail to this point. We will bird East Shore State Park along the SF Bay Trail from Richmond to Berkeley, ending at University Ave. and I-80. Bring bicycle lock and liquids. Bring lunch or purchase at Seabreeze Market. Bicycle helmet required. Reservations not necessary but an e-mail or phone call would be appreciated. Rain cancels.

Car: Take Bayview exit from I-580 north. Turn left to cross west over freeway, go left on Seaport, and immediately turn left on S. 51st St. Go to end and park on street. Entrance to short spur to the SF Bay Trail starts here. If you are concerned about security, park at Point Isabel and ride north on trail about .75 mile to meet group. Transit: Meet at BART station at 7:55 a.m. To ride to trail, take Ohlone Greenway Trail south to Potrero Ave., turn right toward bay, cross San Pablo Ave., and go left onto S. 55th St. immediately after crossing under I-80. Turn right onto Gately, left onto Ells, and right onto Bayview. Cross Carlson, go over I-580, then turn left onto Seaport and immediately left onto S. 51st St. and proceed to trail. It is also possible to go from El Cerrito Plaza Station to the trailhead via Carlson.

Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park

Oakland

Wednesday, August 24, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Hilary Powers, 510.834.1066, hilary@powersedit.com; Ruth Tobey, 510.528.2093, ruthtobey@gmail.com

Meet at large spherical cage near the Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. We will bird around there, then go up the garden path toward Children’s Fairyland or walk down the lake toward Embarcadero, after which we will cover what we missed. This is the summer lull, though the cormorants should still be nesting in the trees on the newly refurbished islands. But there’s never a truly bad month at the lake—always something to see and talk about, if only the geese on molt-migration.

Take 12, N, or NL bus to Grand and Perkins, and walk into park on Perkins. Best parking is at boathouse lot near spherical cage. Entry, via Bellevue near Children’s Fairyland, is probably free on weekday mornings, but if the kiosk is occupied when you arrive, buy a $2 (two-hour) ticket and park in the boathouse lot, where no one checks how long cars sit.

Snag Lake Backpack Trip

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Friday – Monday, August 26 – 29

Robin Pulich; David Rice, 510.527.7210,drice2@comcast.net

On this annual camping and birding trip to Lassen, we will backpack 3 miles to Snag Lake and spend three nights in primitive camping by a stream near a large meadow. We should see flocks of mixed warblers and other songbirds, plus resident birds of the mountains, Bald Eagles, and migrating shorebirds. We will be above 6,000 feet. To avoid impact on the fragile habitat, the trip is limited to 10 people. Participants are responsible for their own gear and food; some shared meals can be arranged. Contact David Rice to reserve a space.

July 27, 2011

Leader(s): Hilary Powers and Ruth Tobey

# of participants: 9

# of species: 32

July is one of the quiet months at Lake Merritt, but the 4th-Wednesday walk was treated to some unusual sights – including more than a dozen White Pelicans making themselves at home on and among the islands, fly-bys from a Brown Pelican and a Caspian Tern, and a Green Heron sitting and preening on the front of the nearest island. Three Pied-billed Grebes have returned to the lake, along with two of the white-beaked black American Coots. The Mallards are in eclipse plumage, looking oddly butch without their green head feathers.

The Double-crested Cormorants are still at it on the islands. We saw two of the shiny black adults working on the next clutch of eggs at the top of the tallest tree, and a bronze juvenile soaring like a hawk in rising circles over the field in front of Children’s Fairyland – something no one on the walk had ever seen – before heading off toward the bay in the conventional arrow-straight going-somewhere cormorant style. No knowing, of course, but it looked for all the world like the youngster was testing its wings before striking off on its own.

And besides a good look at a Nuttall’s Woodpecker – always a pleasure but more or less expected – the 32 species we saw included a female Downy Woodpecker, which hasn’t happened for more than a year. So it was another very good day at Lake Merritt, where every day is a good day….

Castle Rock, Diablo Foothills Regional Parks

July 24, 2011

Leader(s): Steve and Carol Lombardi

# of participants:

# of species: 38

Our GGAS field trip to Castle Rock/Diablo Foothills Regional Parks on Sunday provided 38 species. Several of the expected birds were not in attendance.  However, we did see lots of individuals because of the large number of young,   fledged birds, especially Western Bluebirds, Lesser Goldfinches, and Lark Sparrows.  There were also many adults and immature Ash-throated Flycatchers.

Rock Wren was another notable species.

Don Edwards, SF Bay NWR Bicycle Trip

July 23, 2011

Leader(s): Kathy Jarrett

# of participants: 9

# of species: 32

This summer visit to the refuge was notable for what we did not see as well as what we did see. 32 species had only one duck, no raptors, and no Black Phoebes. The Burrowing Owls seen in previous trips on Disk Dr were not there last trip, so on the advice of Bob Power we looked out into the grassy area just east of the rail road tracks as we approached the EEC (Environmental Education Center) on Grand and were rewarded with views of two owls. We headed west from the EEC next to Pond A16 and saw both Western and Least Sandpipers south of the trail as well as a large raft of Wilson’s Phalaropes. Forster’s Terns, Double-crested Cormorants and American White Pelicans were in A16.  Both California and Western Gulls were in A12. Back at Alviso Marina County Park we saw a grey fox opposite the picnic area. (Thank you, Anthony!) 11 people enjoyed the beautiful day. Those who rode from the Santa Clara Capitol Corridor station rode about 15 miles and saw a huge number of American Avocets at the intersection of the San Tomas Aquinas and SF Bay Trails as we rode back to the station.

This is the URL for the map of the refuge, which shows the ponds and the trails. South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project – Pond A8 – completed 6/1/2011

http://www.southbayrestoration.org/images/Pond%20Maps/alviso.pdf

http://www.southbayrestoration.org/index.html

Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley

Friday, September 2, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Phila Rogers, Coordinator, 510.848.9156, philajane6@yahoo.com

Monthly first Friday trips at Tilden continue. Meet at the parking lot at the north end of Central Park Dr. for a 1-mile stroll through this lush riparian area. Fall is coming, and we will look for migrants.

Butterfly Walk

UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley

Saturday, September 3, 3 p.m.

Sal Levinson, sal.levinson@gmail.com

After meeting inside the garden entrance, we will walk through the garden in search of

host plants to such butterflies as skippers, buckeyes, blues, pipevine swallowtail, and mylitta crescent. Bring binoculars (close focusing are best) and a field guide if you have one. Rain cancels. Carpooling recommended as parking is limited. The garden charges a fee to nonmembers. Please RSVP to the leader if you plan to attend. $

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Sunday, September 4, 8 – 10:30 a.m.

Ginny Marshall, ginnybirder@sbcglobal.net; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com; Alan Ridley, allanrid@pacbell.net; Helen McKenna, 415.566.3241 (Leaders vary by month.)

Meet at the front gate of the garden in Golden Gate Park, 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way. The garden has several micro-habitats that attract an array of resident, migrant, and vagrant birds. This monthly trip is oriented toward helping beginning birders develop their skills in spotting and identifying birds. The garden charges $7/person if you are not an SF resident or garden member. Bring identification for residency and membership status.

Coastal San Francisco

Saturday, September 10

Dan Murphy, murphsf@yahoo.com

Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot between South Lake and Middle Lake in Golden Gate Park. The lot is just past the second stop sign on Chain-of-Lakes Dr. from the intersection of 41st and Lincoln. From Kennedy Dr., turn left at Chain-of-Lakes Dr., and drive just past the lake to the left. We will bird the Chain-of-Lakes, then drive to Lands End, Lake Merced, and other western San Francisco birding spots in a search for early fall migrants. In the past we have seen a large variety of migrating flycatchers, vireos, warblers, sparrows, and finches. We may see early hawk migration as well. We plan to end the day between 2 and 3 p.m. at Lake Merced. Wear layers for variable coastal weather. Bring lunch and liquids. We will not finish the trip where we start, so make carpool arrangements with that in mind.

Birds of the Bay

San Francisco

Sunday, September 11, 10 a.m.

Carol Kiser, carol_kiser@nps.gov, 415.447.5000

This walk for children and beginners starts with a brief orientation in the use of binoculars and field guides. Then we will spend an hour or so looking for resident and migrating birds. Meet at entrance to Hyde Street Pier at Hyde and Jefferson on the western border of Fisherman’s Wharf. Bring books and binoculars if you have them. A hat and layers of clothing are recommended. Nearby parking is at the foot of Van Ness Ave. (free for 4 hours), Ghirardelli Square, and the Anchorage.

Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline

Oakland

Wednesday, September 14, 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Gary and Chris Bard, chrisbard@earthlink.net, 510.301.2987

The shoreline offers excellent views of shorebirds, waders, and dabblers. The shoreline’s Arrowhead Marsh is the home of numerous Clapper Rails. In winter, large rafts of scaup and goldeneye float offshore. Occasionally, raptors soar overhead. The walking is on flat ground. Please bring a scope if you have one. Dress in layers. Rain cancels. Restroom is available near parking lot.

From I-880 south in Oakland, exit at Hegenberger Rd. Turn right onto Hegenberger, continue .7 mile across a small bridge over a channel, and turn right on Pardee Dr. Continue to Swan Way and turn left, then turn right into the park. Meet at parking lot at end of road.

Corona Heights

San Francisco

Friday, September 16, 8 – 10 a.m.

Charles Hibbard; Brian Fitch; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com (Leaders vary by month.)

Meet in front of the Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, at the end of Museum Way off Roosevelt. We will enjoy views of the city and bay as we circle Corona Heights, checking the east canyon woodland and north forest for residents and migrants, as well as monitoring the hilltop scrub and south cliff.

Las Gallinas and McNear Brickyard

Marin County

Sunday, September 18, 4 p.m. – dark

Rusty Scalf, rscalf@sonic.net, 510.666.9936; Steve and Carol Lombardi, hot-rock@sbcglobal.net, 925.785.0130

First stop: Las Gallinas wastewater plant, an excellent place for close observation of shorebirds, ducks, and land birds of open fields. The occasional Green Heron or Burrowing Owl has made an appearance. Second stop: McNear Brickyard on Point San Pedro Rd. Last fall McNear was the sight of a large staging of migratory Vaux’s Swifts. Leaders will undertake a swift count as part of a three-state Vaux’s Swift census project. Sign up to carpool for this field trip from San Francisco and the East Bay.

Bike Trip: Millbrae–Foster City

San Mateo County

Sunday, September 25

Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Meet at the Millbrae BART station at 9:15 a.m. East Bay BART riders passing through MacArthur BART at 8:15 will take the train for SFO/Millbrae. The trip will follow the SF Bay Trail from Millbrae to Foster City (about 7 miles) and continue around Foster City (about 6.5 miles). The generally flat route is mostly paved, on bike lanes and city streets. Return will be from the Belmont Caltrain station. Caltrain is on an hourly schedule on weekends; it departs Belmont at 1:48 p.m. and arrives in Millbrae at 2:08. Bring lunch and liquids. Bicycle helmet required. Reservations not necessary but an e-mail or phone call would be appreciated. Rain cancels.

To reach Millbrae BART by car, from San Francisco, follow US 101 south for about 12 miles. Take exit 420 for Millbrae Ave, turn right at E. Millbrae Ave., and then right at N. Rollins Rd. to parking lot.

Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park

Oakland, Alameda County

Wednesday, September 28, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Hilary Powers, 510.834.1066, hilary@powersedit.com; Ruth Tobey, 510.528.2093, ruthtobey@gmail.com

Meet at the large spherical cage near the Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. We will bird around there, then go up the garden path toward Children’s Fairyland or walk down the lake toward Embarcadero, after which we will cover what we missed. With luck, the first of the fall migrants will be here in September.

Take the 12, N, or NL bus to Grand and Perkins, and walk into the park on Perkins. Best parking is at boathouse lot near spherical cage. Entry, via Bellevue near Children’s Fairyland, is probably free on weekday mornings, but if the kiosk is occupied when you arrive, buy a $2 (two-hour) ticket and park in the boathouse lot, where no one checks how long cars sit.

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Sunday, October 2, 8 – 10:30 a.m.

Ginny Marshall, ginnybirder@sbcglobal.net; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com; Alan Ridley, allanrid@pacbell.net; Helen McKenna, 415.566.3241 (Leaders vary by month.)

Meet at the front gate of the garden in Golden Gate Park, 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way. The garden has several micro-habitats that attract an array of resident, migrant, and vagrant birds. This monthly trip is oriented toward helping beginning birders develop their skills in spotting and identifying birds. The garden charges $7/person if you are not an SF resident or garden member. Bring identification for residency and membership status.

Jewel Lake

Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley

Friday, October 7, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Phila Rogers, Coordinator, 510.848.9156, philajane6@yahoo.com

Monthly first Friday trips at Tilden continue. Meet at the parking lot at the north end of Central Park Dr. for a 1-mile stroll through this lush riparian area. We’ll welcome returning winter migrants. Heavy rain cancels.

Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline

Oakland

Wednesday, October 12, 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Gary and Chris Bard, chrisbard@earthlink.net, 510.301.2987

The shoreline offers excellent views of shorebirds, waders, and dabblers. The shoreline’s Arrowhead Marsh is the home of numerous Clapper Rails. In winter, large rafts of scaup and goldeneye float offshore. Occasionally, raptors soar overhead. The walking is on flat ground. Please bring a scope if you have one. Dress in layers. Rain cancels. Restroom is available near parking lot.

From I-880 south in Oakland, exit at Hegenberger Rd. Turn right onto Hegenberger, continue .7 mile across a small bridge over a channel, and turn right on Pardee Dr. Conti

Hayward Regional Shoreline

Alameda County

Saturday, October 15, 8:30 a.m.

Rusty Scalf, rscalf@sonic.net, 510.666.9936; Steve and Carol Lombardi, hot-rock@sbcglobal.net, 925.785.0130

Meet at the East Bay Regional Park District parking lot at the end of Winton Ave. in Hayward, where we will leave some of our cars. Those who leave cars will ride with others to the end of Grant Ave. in San Leandro (a short, easy drive; maps will be provided). We will hike from the end of Grant to the end of Winton along the SF Bay Trail, a distance of about 2 miles, looking for shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and birds of the open water and open fields. No sign-up limit, but please e-mail Rusty if you plan to attend.

Corona Heights

San Francisco

Friday, October 21, 8 – 10 a.m.

Charles Hibbard; Brian Fitch; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com (Leaders vary by month.)

Meet in front of the Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, at the end of Museum Way off Roosevelt. We will enjoy views of the city and bay as we circle Corona Heights, checking the east canyon woodland and north forest for residents and migrants, as well as monitoring the hilltop scrub and south cliff.

Mines Road

Alameda and Santa Clara Counties

Saturday, October 22, 8:30 a.m.

Steve and Carol Lombardi, hot-rock@sbcglobal.net, 925.785.0130; Rich Cimino

Mines is an isolated road that runs through varied habitat from Livermore through the mountains of Alameda and Santa Clara. On this all-day trip, we might see Phainopepla, Greater Roadrunner, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, and Lewis’s Woodpecker, along with the usual oak woodland and scrub species. The road is narrow and turnouts are short, so the trip is limited to 20 participants. Carpooling will be mandatory. It will be dangerous if we caravan with more than five cars. Depending on timing, we may elect to continue down Del Puerto Canyon Rd. to its junction with I-5. We would then return to Livermore on the freeway. Contact the leaders to sign up. Details about the meeting place will be provided to confirmed participants.

Pack a lunch, water, and snacks. There are no services (including restrooms) on Mines Rd. unless the Junction Cafe is open, which is not dependable. Plan on being self-sufficient. A good resource for Mines Rd. is Art Edwards’s annotated check list, available on Joe Morlan’s website: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/ala1.htm.

Bike Trip: Richmond Landfill Loop

Contra Costa County

Sunday, October 23

Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Meet at 8:35 a.m. at El Cerrito Del Norte BART station or at 9 on the SF Bay Trail near the end of S. 51st St. in Richmond or 10:30 at the parking for the Landfill Loop Trail, 1 Parr Blvd., Richmond. The leaders plan to arrive by BART at El Cerrito Del Norte and may return to the Richmond BART station. We will bird along the SF Bay Trail in Richmond and end with the Landfill Loop. Bring lunch and liquids. Bicycle helmet required. Reservations not necessary but an e-mail or phone call would be appreciated. Rain cancels.

Car: To reach S. 51st St., take Bayview exit from I-580 north and turn left to cross west over the freeway. Go left on Seaport and left on S. 51st St. Go to end and park on street. Entrance to short spur to the trail starts here. If you are concerned about security, park at Point Isabel and ride north on trail about .75 mile to meet group. To reach Landfill Loop, take I-580 north. Exit at Canal Blvd., turn right, and go 3.2 miles. Canal becomes Garrard, then Richmond Parkway. Turn left onto Parr and follow road to parking area in .3 mile. Transit/bike: From Del Norte BART, take Ohlone Greenway Trail south to Potrero Ave., turn right toward the bay, cross San Pablo Ave., and go left onto S. 55th St. immediately after crossing under I-80. Turn right onto Gately, left onto Ells, then right onto Bayview. Cross Carlson, go over I-580, turn left onto Seaport and left onto S. 51st St., and proceed to the trail. If you only want to do the Landfill Loop, you can ride to the trailhead from Richmond BART; contact Kathy for directions.

Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park

Oakland, Alameda County

Wednesday, October 26, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Hilary Powers, 510.834.1066, hilary@powersedit.com; Ruth Tobey, 510.528.2093, ruthtobey@gmail.com

Meet at the large spherical cage near the Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. We will bird around there, then go up the garden path toward Children’s Fairyland or walk down the lake toward Embarcadero, after which we will cover what we missed. Fall migrants will be out in force in October. Let’s hope the Barrow’s Goldeneyes are on time for their October arrival.

Take the 12, N, or NL bus to Grand and Perkins, and walk into the park on Perkins. Best parking is at boathouse lot near spherical cage. Entry, via Bellevue near Children’s Fairyland, is probably free on weekday mornings, but if the kiosk is occupied when you arrive, buy a $2 (two-hour) ticket and park in the boathouse lot, where no one checks how long cars sit.

Birds of the Bay

San Francisco

Sunday, October 30, 10 a.m.

Carol Kiser, carol_kiser@nps.gov, 415.447.5000

This walk for children and beginners starts with a brief orientation in the use of binoculars and field guides. Then we will spend an hour or so looking for resident and migrating birds. Meet at entrance to Hyde Street Pier at Hyde and Jefferson on the western border of Fisherman’s Wharf. Bring books and binoculars if you have them. A hat and layers of clothing are recommended. Nearby parking is at the foot of Van Ness Ave. (free for 4 hours), Ghirardelli Square, and the Anchorage.

San Francisco Bay with Dolphin Charters

Sunday, November 20, 9:45 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bob Lewis

Meet at the Berkeley Marina by 9:45 a.m. for departure at 10 a.m. to see the bay by boat. The largest and one of the most important estuaries along the Pacific Flyway is right in our own backyard. We will cruise San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay waters, home to thousands of wintering birds. Passing Alcatraz, we’ll head toward Point Bonita, tour the southern edge of the Marin Headlands, and, weather permitting, travel under the Golden Gate Bridge to the point. Then we’ll go to the shore of Angel Island, under the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge, past the Marin Islands and the Brothers and Sisters Islands, to Red Rock, and back down along the Richmond shoreline. Many of these areas can be seen only by boat. In addition to wintering ducks, loons, grebes, and gulls, we expect to see resident cormorants, pelicans, and murres, as well as seals and sea lions feeding and basking and, with luck, an occasional porpoise. Dress in layers. Bring liquids and lunch.

The trip is limited to 32 people. Cost is $85 for GGAS members, $95 for nonmembers. Register on-line, or reserve by contacting Stephanie Strait, GGAS Office Manager, 510.843.2222 or ggas@goldengateaudubon.org. Payment must be received by October 15.

Sacramento Delta and Valley Refuges

Saturday – Sunday, December 3 – 4

(We’re sorry, this trip is full and already has a lengthy waiting list.)

Fall is a time of abundance in the Sacramento Valley, with waterfowl spectacles never to be forgotten. We meet at 8 a.m. at the Flying J Travel Plaza, Thornton Rd. and Hwy. 12, less than a quarter mile east of I-5, for a restroom, coffee, and get-acquainted stop before we proceed to the our first birding destination on nearby Woodbridge Rd. Those wanting a trucker’s breakfast can come early.

This will be a busy two days. On Saturday we’ll visit the delta’s Sandhill Crane staging area, then head north to the lovely wetlands of the Cosumnes River Preserve and finally another 100 miles north to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, where we’ll witness the evening flight of Snow, Ross’s, and White-fronted Geese, a flight that can number in the hundreds of thousands. We’ll spend Saturday night in Willows. On Sunday we’ll start out at the Sacramento refuge, then cross the valley to the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. Pending reports from local birders, our last stop might be just north of Marysville, where hundreds of Tundra Swans have gathered in recent years. The trip is limited to 30 participants. Please reserve a place by contacting both leaders. Confirmed participants will receive a list of motels so they can make their own reservations.